U.S. patent application number 12/799871 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for systems and methods for monitoring and characterizing information handling system use behavior.
Invention is credited to Chia-Fa Chang, Yung Fa Chueh, Hua Chung, Ligong Wang.
Application Number | 20110276810 12/799871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44902753 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110276810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Chia-Fa ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
Systems and methods for monitoring and characterizing information
handling system use behavior
Abstract
Desktop power use behavior may be detected while a portable
information handling system or any other type of battery powered
information handling, system is operating on external power such as
an AC adapter. The desktop power use behavior may be detected by
monitoring one or more power usage parameters to detect usage
characteristics that indicate a battery powered information
handling system is being operated in a manner that is similar to
operation of a desktop information handling system. Upon detection
of desktop behavior, one or more processing devices of the
information handling system may respond by taking one or more
desktop use response actions.
Inventors: |
Chang; Chia-Fa; (Linkou
Township, TW) ; Chung; Hua; (Taipei, TW) ;
Wang; Ligong; (Round Rock, TX) ; Chueh; Yung Fa;
(Hsichin City, TW) |
Family ID: |
44902753 |
Appl. No.: |
12/799871 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 2010/4278 20130101;
Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 2220/30 20130101; H02J 7/0021 20130101;
H01M 10/44 20130101; H01M 10/4257 20130101; G06F 1/28 20130101;
H01M 2010/4271 20130101; G06F 1/263 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/300 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/00 20060101
G06F001/00 |
Claims
1. A information handling system, comprising: one or more
processing devices; a battery system including one or more battery
cells; battery charger circuit coupled to receive current from an
external source and to provide current for recharging the battery
cells of the battery system; and a system load coupled to
selectably receive current from either one of an external power
source or the battery system; where the one or more processing
devices are configured to: monitor one or more power usage
parameters of the information handling system, detect usage
characteristics from the monitored power usage parameters to
determine whether or not the information handling system is being
operated with a pre-defined desktop power use behavior, and take
one or more desktop use response actions if the detected usage
characteristics indicate the information handling system is being
operated with a pre-defined desktop power use behavior.
2. The system of claim 1, where the one or more power usage
parameters comprise at least one of presence of external power
supplied to powered information handling system, battery system
relative state of charge (RSOC), or a combination thereof.
3. The system of claim 1, where the one or more monitored power
usage parameters comprise at least one of the presence of external
power supplied to powered information handling system, the battery
system relative state of charge (RSOC), or a combination thereof;
and where the usage characteristics that indicate the information
handling system is being operated with a pre-defined desktop power
use behavior comprise at least one of exceeding a threshold amount
of time or fraction of cumulative time that the battery powered
information handling system has been continuously operating on
external power, exceeding a threshold amount of time or fraction of
cumulative time that the battery relative state of charge (RSOC)
has remained above a threshold minimum RSOC value, or a combination
thereof.
4. The system of claim 1, where the one or more desktop use
response actions comprise at least one of displaying a passive
message to a user of the information handling system that alerts
the user that desktop use behavior has been detected, automatically
running a battery conditioning utility, or a combination
thereof.
5. The system of claim 1, where the one or more processing devices
comprise a battery management unit (BMU) communicatively coupled in
signal communication with an embedded controller (EC); where the
BMU is configured to monitor one or more power usage parameters of
the information handling system, detect usage characteristics from
the monitored power usage parameters to determine whether or not
the information handling system is being operated with a
pre-defined desktop power use behavior, and inform the EC by signal
communication that desktop power use behavior has been detected;
and where the EC is configured to take the one or more desktop use
response actions when informed by the BMU that desktop power use
behavior has been detected.
6. The system of claim 1, where the battery system comprises a
replaceable battery pack that is operably separable from the system
load of the information handling system, the battery system being
coupled in operational electrical contact by at least one terminal
node to provide current to the system load across the terminal
node.
7. The system of claim 6, where the battery system comprises a
smart battery pack that includes at least one processing
device.
8. The system of claim 1, where the information handling system is
a notebook computer.
9. A method for operating an information handling system,
comprising: providing an information handling system including one
or more processing devices, a battery system including one or more
battery cells, battery charger circuit coupled to receive current
from an external source and to provide current for recharging the
battery cells of the battery system, and a system load coupled to
selectably receive current from either one of an external power
source or the battery system; monitoring one or more power usage
parameters of the information handling system; detecting usage
characteristics from the monitored power usage parameters;
determining whether or not the information handling system is being
operated with a pre-defined desktop power use behavior based on the
detected usage characteristics; and taking one or more desktop use
response actions if the detected usage characteristics indicate the
information handling system is being operated with a pre-defined
desktop power use behavior.
10. The method of claim 9, where the one or more power usage
parameters comprise at least one of presence of external power
supplied to powered information handling system, battery system
relative state of charge (RSOC), or a combination thereof.
11. The method of claim 9, where the one or more monitored power
usage parameters comprise at least one of the presence of external
power supplied to powered information handling system, the battery
system relative state of charge (RSOC), or a combination thereof;
and where the usage characteristics that indicate the information
handling system is being operated with a pre-defined desktop power
use behavior comprise at least one of exceeding a threshold amount
of time or fraction of cumulative time that the battery powered
information handling system has been continuously operating on
external power, exceeding a threshold amount of time or fraction of
cumulative time that the battery relative state of charge (RSOC)
has remained above a threshold minimum RSOC value, or a combination
thereof.
12. The method of claim 9, where the one or more desktop use
response actions comprise at least one of displaying a passive
message to a user of the information handling system that alerts
the user that desktop use behavior has been detected, automatically
running a battery conditioning utility, or a combination
thereof.
13. The method of claim 9, where the one or more processing devices
comprise a battery management unit (BMU) communicatively coupled in
signal communication with an embedded controller (EC); and where
the method further comprises: using the BMU to monitor one or more
power usage parameters of the information handling system, detect
usage characteristics from the monitored power usage parameters to
determine whether or not the information handling system is being
operated with a pre-defined desktop power use behavior, and inform
the EC by signal communication that desktop power use behavior has
been detected; and using the EC to take the one or more desktop use
response actions when informed by the BMU that desktop power use
behavior has been detected.
14. The method of claim 9, where the battery system comprises a
replaceable battery pack that is operably separable from the system
load of the information handling system, the battery system being
coupled in operational electrical contact by at least one terminal
node to provide current to the system load across the terminal
node.
15. The method of claim 14, where the battery system comprises a
smart battery pack that includes at least one processing
device.
16. The method of claim 9, where the information handling system is
a notebook computer.
18. A battery system configured to be coupled in operational
electrical contact by at least one terminal node to provide current
to a system load of an information handling system that is separate
from the battery system, the battery system comprising: one or more
battery cells; and a first processing device configured to be
communicatively coupled in signal communication by at least one
terminal node with a second processing device of the information
handling system that is separate from the battery system; where the
first processing device is configured to: monitor one or more power
usage parameters of the information handling system, detect usage
characteristics from the monitored power usage parameters to
determine whether or not the information handling system is being
operated with a pre-defined desktop power use behavior, and inform
the second processing device by signal communication that desktop
power use behavior has been detected.
19. The battery system of claim 18, where the one or more power
usage parameters comprise at least one of presence of external
power supplied to powered information handling system, battery
system relative state of charge (RSOC), or a combination
thereof.
20. The battery system of claim 18, where the battery system is a
replaceable smart battery pack; where the first processing device
comprise a battery management unit (BMU); and where the BMU is
configured to monitor one or more power usage parameters of the
information handling system, detect usage characteristics from the
monitored power usage parameters to determine whether or not the
information handling system is being operated with a pre-defined
desktop power use behavior, and inform the second processing device
by signal communication that desktop power use behavior has been
detected.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to information handling
systems, and more particularly to monitoring and characterizing
information handling system use behavior.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option available to users is information
handling systems. An information handling system generally
processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or
data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing
users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because
technology and information handling needs and requirements vary
between different users or applications, information handling
systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed,
stored; or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
[0003] Examples of portable information handling systems include
notebook computers. These portable electronic devices are typically
powered by rechargeable battery pack systems such as lithium ion
("Li-ion") or nickel metal hydride ("NiMH") battery packs. Notebook
computers are often used with external AC power supplied by an AC
adapter. Notebook computer users often operate notebook computers
on external AC adapter power for extended periods of time without
removing AC power, using the battery cells of the notebook computer
in a manner similar to operation of a desktop computer on an
uninterruptable power supply (UPS). During such extended times of
AC adapter operation, battery cells of the battery pack systems
remain at substantially fully charged status and at an elevated
temperature. Since permanent battery degradation occurs more
rapidly at higher battery voltages and higher battery temperatures,
extended AC adapter operation time tends to accelerate notebook
computer permanent battery degradation and therefore to shorten
battery life. This results in the need to replace battery packs
more often. Moreover, extended times of AC adapter operation
interfere with the opportunity to perform a learning procedure to
recalibrate the full charge capacity (FCC) value for the battery
pack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Disclosed herein are systems and methods for monitoring and
characterizing information handling system use behavior. Using the
disclosed systems and methods, desktop power use behavior may be
detected while a portable information handling system or any other
type of battery powered information handling system is operating on
external power such as an AC adapter. The desktop power use
behavior may be detected, for example, by a battery management unit
(BMU) of a battery system, an embedded controller of the
information handling system itself, and/or any other processing
device associated with the information handling system. Thus, in
one exemplary embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods may be
implemented using existing hardware components of a battery-powered
information handling system without extra cost for additional
hardware, and in a further exemplary embodiment may be implemented
using a processing device (e.g., battery management unit) of a
battery system without requiring changes to the system BIOS.
[0005] Using the disclosed systems and methods, desktop power use
behavior may be detected by monitoring one or more power usage
parameters to detect usage characteristics that indicate a battery
powered information handling system is being operated in a manner
that is similar to operation of a desktop information handling
system. Examples of such usage characteristics include, but are not
limited to, exceeding a threshold amount of time or fraction of
cumulative time that the battery powered information handling
system has been continuously operating on external power and/or
exceeding a threshold amount of time or fraction of cumulative time
that the battery relative state of charge (RSOC) has remained above
a threshold minimum RSOC value.
[0006] Upon detection of desktop behavior, one or more processing
devices of the information handling system may respond by taking
one or more desktop use response actions, e.g., displaying a
message to a user of the information handling system that alerts
the user that desktop behavior has been detected, giving a user the
option to execute a desktop utility or other utility to correct the
desktop behavior situation and/or initiate a battery system
learning procedure, automatically running a utility to correct the
desktop behavior situation and/or initiated a battery system
learning procedure without user permission, etc.
[0007] In one respect, disclosed herein is an information handling
system, including: one or more processing devices; a battery system
including one or more battery cells; battery charger circuit
coupled to receive current from an external source and to provide
current for recharging the battery cells of the battery system; and
a system load coupled to selectably receive current from either one
of an external power source or the battery system. The one or more
processing devices of the information handling system may be
configured to: monitor one or more power usage parameters of the
information handling system, detect usage characteristics from the
monitored power usage parameters to determine whether or not the
information handling system is being operated with a pre-defined
desktop power use behavior, and take one or more desktop use
response actions if the detected usage characteristics indicate the
information handling system is being operated with a pre-defined
desktop power use behavior.
[0008] In another respect, disclosed herein is a method for
operating an information handling system, including: providing an
information handling system including one or more processing
devices, a battery system including one or more battery cells,
battery charger circuit coupled to receive current from an external
source and to provide current for recharging the battery cells of
the battery system, and a system load coupled to selectably receive
current from either one of an external power source or the battery
system; monitoring one or more power usage parameters of the
information handling system; detecting usage characteristics from
the monitored power usage parameters; determining whether or not
the information handling system is being operated with a
pre-defined desktop power use behavior based on the detected usage
characteristics; and taking one or more desktop use response
actions if the detected usage characteristics indicate the
information handling system is being operated with a pre-defined
desktop power use behavior.
[0009] In another respect, disclosed herein is a battery system
configured to be coupled in operational electrical contact by at
least one terminal node to provide current to a system load of an
information handling system that is separate from the battery
system, the battery system including: one or more battery cells;
and a first processing device configured to be communicatively
coupled in signal communication by at least one terminal node with
a second processing device of the information handling system that
is separate from the battery system. The first processing device
may be configured to: monitor one or more power usage parameters of
the information handling system, detect usage characteristics from
the monitored power usage parameters to determine whether or not
the information handling system is being operated with a
pre-defined desktop power use behavior, and inform the second
processing device by signal communication that desktop power use
behavior has been detected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system
according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems and
methods.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information handling system
according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems and
methods.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates relative state of charge (RSOC) versus
time for a battery system of a portable information handling
system.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for characterizing and
responding to information handling system use behavior according to
one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems and methods.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system
200 (e.g., portable information handling system such as notebook
computer, MP3 player, personal data assistant (PDA), cell phone,
cordless phone, etc.) as it may be configured according to one
exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems and methods. As shown
in FIG. 2, information handling system 200 of this exemplary
embodiment includes a processor 205 such as an Intel Pentium series
processor, an Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processor or one of many
other processors currently available. A graphics/memory controller
hub (GMCH) chip 210 is coupled to processor 205 to facilitate
memory and display functions. System memory 215 and a display
controller 220 are coupled to GMCH 210. A display device 225 (e.g.,
video monitor) may be coupled to display controller 220 to provide
visual images (e.g., via graphical user interface) to the user. An
I/O controller hub (ICH) chip 230 is coupled to GMCH chip 210 to
facilitate input/output functions for the information handling
system. Media drives 235 are coupled to ICH chip 230 to provide
permanent storage to the information handling system. An expansion
bus 240 is coupled to ICH chip 230 to provide the information
handling system with additional plug-in functionality. Expansion
bus 240 may be a PCI bus, PCI Express bus, SATA bus, USB or
virtually any other expansion bus. Input devices 245 such as a
keyboard and mouse are coupled to ICH chip 230 to enable the user
to interact with the information handling system. An embedded
controller (EC) 280 running system BIOS is also coupled to ICH chip
230.
[0015] In this particular embodiment, information handling system
200 is coupled to an external source of power, namely AC mains 250
and AC adapter 255. It will be understood that external power may
alternatively provided from any other suitable external source
(e.g., external DC power source) or that AC adapter 255 may
alternatively be integrated within an information handling system
200 such that AC mains 250 supplies AC power directly to
information handling system 200. As shown AC adapter 255 is
removably coupled to, and separable from, battery charger/power
circuit 260 of information handling system 200 at mating
interconnection terminals 290 and 292 in order to provide
information handling system 200 with a source of DC power to
supplement DC power provided by battery cells of a battery system
in the form of smart battery pack 265, e.g., lithium ion ("Li-ion")
or nickel metal hydride ("NiMH") battery pack including one or more
rechargeable batteries and a BMU that includes an analog front end
("AFE") and microcontroller. Further, a battery system data bus
(SMBus) 281 is coupled to smart battery pack 265 to provide battery
state information, such as battery voltage and current information,
from BMU 266 of smart battery pack 265 to EC 280. Battery
charger/power circuit 260 of information handling system 200 may
also provide DC power for recharging battery cells of the battery
system 265 during charging operations.
[0016] When a battery system of a portable information handling
system is optionally provided as a replaceable battery pack, it may
be configured for insertion and removal from a corresponding
battery pack compartment defined within the chassis of the
information handling system (e.g., such as a notebook computer),
and may be provided with external power and data connector
terminals for contacting and making interconnection with mating
power connector terminals and data connector terminals provided
within the battery pack compartment to provide power to the system
load of the information handling system and to exchange data with
one or more processing devices of the information handling system.
For example, as shown for the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2,
replaceable smart battery pack 265 may be removably coupled to, and
is separable from, other system components 267 of information
handling system 200 at a terminal node by engagement of system side
electrical power terminals 360, 394 with battery pack side
electrical power terminals 362, 396 (operational electrical
contact). In this regard, smart battery pack 265 may include
battery cell circuitry 324 coupled to electrical power terminals
362 that are configured to be removably coupled to system side
electrical power terminals 360 so that terminals 360 contact
terminals 362 to allow current to be interchanged between smart
battery pack 265 and other system components 267 of information
handling system 200. Battery cell circuitry 324 may be any type of
rechargeable battery cell/s or combination thereof that is suitable
for recharging. Examples of such battery cells include, but are not
limited to, Li-ion battery cells, NiMH battery cells, nickel
cadmium (NiCd) battery cells, lithium-polymer (Li-polymer) battery
cells, etc.
[0017] Battery pack 265 also includes SMBus terminals 352 that are
configured to be removably coupled to system side SMBus terminals
350 to allow data to be interchanged between smart battery pack 265
and EC 280. A logic control circuitry 398 is also present to
control and convey battery cell status information to BMU 266 from
battery cell circuitry 324, and to convey control signals BMU 266
to switching circuitry that is coupled between battery cell
circuitry 324 in a manner that will be described further herein. It
will be understood that functions of EC 280 may alternatively be
performed by a keyboard controller in other embodiments. Also shown
in FIG. 2 are switching elements 310 and 312 which are each
controlled by EC 280, and which may be present to regulate current
flow from charger 260 and to regulate current flow to system load
320, respectively. In this regard, system load 320 may comprise
system components such as display 225, processor 205, media drives
235, etc. of FIG. 1, and/or may include additional, fewer or
alternative system components that draw current. It will be
understood that any other number and/or type of switching elements
suitable for controlling current flow between charger 260, system
load 320 and/or battery pack 265 may be present. Examples of types
of suitable switching elements include, but are not limited to,
bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and field effect transistors
(FETs).
[0018] Smart battery pack 265 is also shown provided with battery
current control circuitry to control flow of charge current to
battery cell circuitry 324 of battery pack 265, and to also control
flow of discharge current from battery cell circuitry 324 of
battery pack 265. In this exemplary embodiment, the charge and
discharge circuitry includes two field effect transistors ("FETs")
380 and 382 coupled in series between battery charge terminal 362
and battery cell circuitry 324. FET 380 is a charge FET switching
element that forms a part of a charge circuit that is controlled by
components (e.g., microcontroller and/or AFE) of BMU 266 to allow
or disallow charge current to the battery cell circuitry 324, and
FET 382 is a discharge FET switching element that forms a part of
discharge circuit that is controlled by components (e.g.,
microcontroller and/or AFE) of BMU 266 to allow or disallow
discharge current from the battery cell circuitry 324. Body diodes
may be present across the source and drain of each FET switching
element, i.e., to conduct charge current to the battery cell/s when
the discharge FET switching element 382 is open, and to conduct
discharge current from the battery cell/s when the charge FET
switching element 380 is open. It will be understood that battery
current control circuitry of battery pack 265 may include any other
number and/or type of charge and discharge switching elements
suitable for performing the current control tasks described herein.
Examples of types of suitable switching elements include, but are
not limited to, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and field
effect transistors (FETs).
[0019] During normal battery pack operations both charge and
discharge FET switching elements 380 and 382 are placed in the
closed state by BMU 266, which also monitors voltage of battery
cell circuitry 324. If BMU 266 detects a battery over-voltage
condition, BMU 266 opens the charge FET switching element 380 to
prevent further charging of the battery cell/s until the
over-voltage condition is no longer present. Similarly, if BMU 266
detects a battery under-voltage (or over-discharge) condition, BMU
266 opens the discharge FET switching element 382 to prevent
further discharging of the battery cell/s until the under-voltage
condition is no longer present. BMU 266 may also open the charge
FET switching element 214 when the battery pack is in sleep mode. A
current sense resistor 390 is present in the battery pack circuitry
to allow BMU 266 to monitor charge current to the battery cell/s.
Further information on BMU, battery pack and battery charging
operations may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,378,819, U.S. Pat. No.
7,391,184, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/253,829 filed
Oct. 17, 2008, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
[0020] It will be understood that the functions of BMU 266
described herein may be implemented using any circuitry and/or
control logic configuration suitable for performing the tasks
thereof. For example, in one embodiment, one or more features of
BMU 266 may be implemented using a controller (e.g., processor and
associated firmware) that is integral to battery pack 265 or using
any other suitable configuration of microcontroller/microprocessor,
firmware and/or software that interfaces with battery pack
circuitry/components. It will also be understood that the
herein-described tasks of BMU 266 may be performed by a single
integrated component or by two or more separate components. In
addition, it will be understood that removal and reinstallation of
a battery pack 265 in operational electrical contact with other
components 267 of the information handling system may be monitored
using any other alternative circuitry configuration to
system-present pin 371 that is suitable for indication thereof.
Furthermore, it will be understood that the particular
configuration of components in FIGS. 1 and 2 is exemplary only and
that other configurations of fewer, additional and/or alternative
components are possible as are appropriate for a given particular
type of battery-powered portable information handling system. It
will also be understood that, when present, processing devices
(such as EC 280 and BMU 266) may be communicatively coupled in
signal communication with each other using any type of data
communication bus or other type of signal communication technology
suitable for transferring data therebetween.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plot of relative state of charge (RSOC) versus
time for a battery system of a portable information handling
system, such as replaceable battery pack 265 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The
circled area of Region A of FIG. 3 exhibits usage characteristics
of desktop power use behavior as it may be defined in one exemplary
embodiment of the disclosed systems and methods. As shown, the RSOC
of the battery system cycles between 100% RSOC and 95% RSOC for a
time duration "x", which may be an extended period of time such as
several days or weeks. Time duration "x" may represent, for
example, a time during which an AC adapter has been continuously
coupled to power the information handling system, and during which
the battery cells repeatedly self discharge followed by recharge.
It is during such a time that the battery system remains
substantially fully charged and at an elevated temperature,
conditions under which battery degradation occurs more rapidly. The
usage characteristics of Region A are the type of characteristics
that are to be avoided by using the disclosed systems and methods.
In contrast, normal battery-powered information handling system use
behavior may be characterized in one embodiment by frequent
relatively long charge and long discharge cycles, and long
self-discharge cycles. For example, during normal battery-powered
information handling system use, the battery system may frequently
drop below 80% RSOC, and may be often substantially fully
discharged or near fully discharged, e.g., to below about 10%
RSOC.
[0022] Region B of FIG. 3 is an example of a learning procedure for
a battery system of a portable information handling system, such as
replaceable battery pack 265 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Such a learning
procedure may be employed periodically to update the full charge
capacity (FCC) value as permanent degradation occurs over time,
including percent degradation that occurs due to desktop behavior
of Region A. This updated value of FCC may be used, for example, by
BMU 266 to calculate more accurate estimates of remaining battery
life for display to a user, or for use by internal system processor
to determine at what point to shut down the information handling
system before insufficient battery charge remains for proper shut
down. In the learning procedure of FIG. 3, the battery system
discharges from about 100% RSOC at point (1) to about at learning
point (2), before the battery cells are recharged as shown (e.g.,
to just under about 95% RSOC). A learning point (2) may be any
suitably low value of RSOC to allow calculation of FCC, and is
about 7% RSOC in FIG. 3. Normally, a user must remember to allow
the battery system to discharge to the learning point to trigger
the FCC recalibration. However, in one exemplary embodiment
disclosed herein, upon detection of desktop behavior such as
illustrated in Region A (e.g., by BMU 266), a user may be prompted
to perform the learning procedure of Region B or such a learning
procedure may be automatically performed by one or more processors
of the information handling system.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for characterizing and
responding to information handling system use behavior according to
one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems and methods. In
this regard, method 400 will be described below as it may be
implemented by portable information handling system 200 of FIGS. 1
and 2 using BMU 266, although the general methodology of method 400
may be implemented by any one or more processing devices on any
other suitable configuration of information handling system that is
selectably and/or alternatively powered by external power and one
or more battery cells. Furthermore, it will be understood that one
or more steps of method 400 may be implemented other processing
device/s of information handling system 200 (e.g., such as embedded
controller 280 and/or processor 205).
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, method 400 starts at step 402 where BMU
266 of smart battery system 265 begins monitoring one or more power
usage parameters of information handling system 200 in order to
detect and characterize the current operation behavior, e.g., to
determine if the monitored power usage parameters are
characteristic or indicative of the fact that a user is operating
battery powered information handling system 200 in a manner that is
similar to operating a desktop information handling system.
Examples of possible power usage parameters include, but are not
limited to, presence of external power of AC adapter 255 supplied
to battery powered information handling system 200, battery system
relative state of charge (RSOC), or any other parameter that may be
monitored to determine the amount of time that information handling
system 200 is continuously operated on external power rather than
battery power, or to determine the cumulative fraction of time
within a given time period (e.g., percentage of time) that
information handling system 200 is operated on external power
rather than battery power. To make this determination, BMU 266 may
determine, for example, if the amount of time that battery powered
portable information handling system 200 has been continuously
operating on external power of AC adapter 255 has exceeded a
predefined threshold external power operating time and/or if the
amount of time that battery powered portable information handling
system 200 has been continuously operating with a battery relative
state of charge (RSOC) above a threshold minimum RSOC value has
exceeded a predefined threshold high RSOC operating time.
[0025] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, presence of external
power of AC adapter 255 supplied to battery powered information
handling system 200 is monitored. Based on the monitored usage
parameter/s, BMU 266 characterizes the current operation behavior
and alerts embedded controller (EC) 280 (e.g., via data
communicated across SMBus 281) of detected desktop power use
behavior. The system BIOS running on EC 280 may then take
appropriate predefined action in response thereto based on the type
of current operating behavior detected in a manner as will be
described further herein. In other embodiments BMU 266 may also
optionally notify EC 280 that detected behavior is not desktop user
behavior (e.g., if step 404 or 414 state is "NO"), and/or that
external power or battery has been removed (e.g., if step 410 state
is "YES"), for example, so that EC 280 may be aware of the current
status of operation and inform a user thereof.
[0026] Referring now to step 404 of FIG. 4, BMU 266 determines if
external power of AC adapter 255 is currently powering information
handling system 200. If external power is not present (e.g.,
information handling system is operating on power supplied by smart
battery pack 265), then method 400 returns to step 402 and starts
again. However, if in step 404 BMU 266 determines that information
handling system 200 is being powered by external power of AC
adapter 255, then method 400 proceeds to step 406 where a timer is
started. Method 400 then proceeds to step 408 where BMU 266
determines if the current timer value (i.e., elapsed time since
timer was started in step 406) exceeds a threshold amount of time
that the battery powered information handling system has been
continuously operating on external power, i.e., indicating desktop
power use behavior. The value of such an external power threshold
amount of time may be selected, for example, based on factors such
as battery pack capacity. For example, an external power threshold
time may be predefined to be about 720 hours in one exemplary
embodiment for a 3S1P Li-ion type battery, it being understood that
this external power threshold time is given only as an example for
illustration purposes and that greater or lesser external power
threshold times may be employed. Moreover, in one exemplary
embodiment such a threshold value may be determined, for example,
by empirical measurement of the same battery system configuration
to determine optimum or preferred external power operating time
value for definition of desktop power use behavior. In another
exemplary embodiment, such a threshold value may be configurable to
allow changes, e.g., at time of system fabrication and/or later by
a user.
[0027] If the timer value is found in step 408 to have exceeded the
external power threshold value, then method 400 proceeds to step
409 where BMU 266 sets a desktop use flag and then proceeds to step
410. If the timer value is found in step 408 to not exceed the
external power threshold value, the method 400 proceeds to step 410
without setting a desktop use flag. In step 410, BMU 266 determines
if either the external power of AC adapter 255 and/or battery
system 265 have been removed (i.e., electrically uncoupled) from
portable information handling system 200. If it is determined in
step 410 that external power 255 and/or battery system 265 have
been removed, then method 400 proceeds to step 412 where any
desktop use flag present is cleared, and the timer is reset or
stopped before method 400 returns to step 402 and restarts.
However, if it is determined in step 410 that neither external
power 255 or battery system 265 have been removed, then method 400
proceeds from step 410 to step 414 where BMU 266 determines if a
desktop use flag is present (i.e., as set in step 409), indicating
the occurrence of desktop power use behavior. If so, then BMU 266
initiates one or more desktop use response actions (as described
further herein) in step 416 before returning to step 402 where
method 400 starts again. If no desktop use flag is found present in
step 416 then normal notebook power use behavior is indicated and
no response action is taken. Method 400 then returns to step 408
where BMU 266 again determines if the current timer value exceeds
an external power threshold amount of time that the battery powered
information handling system has been continuously operating on
external power, and methodology 400 proceeds again as before.
[0028] It will be understood that the particular illustrated steps
of method 400 are exemplary only, and that any other combination of
additional and/or alternative steps may be employed that are
suitable for monitoring, characterizing and responding to
information handling system use behavior in a manner as described
herein. For example, any other methodology may be employed for
monitoring and determining whether battery powered information
handling system 265 has been continuously operating on external AC
power adapter for a time that exceeds a selected external power
threshold amount of time to indicate desktop power use behavior. As
another example, relative state of charge (RSOC) of battery system
265 may be additionally or alternatively monitored by BMU 266 or
any other suitable processing device/s of battery system 265 or
information handling system 200 to determine if the RSOC has
continuously remained above a threshold minimum RSOC value for a
threshold amount of time to indicate desktop power use behavior.
For example, in one exemplary embodiment a threshold RSOC operating
time may be predefined as about 720 hours, and a corresponding
minimum threshold RSOC value may be predefined as about 95%.
However, it will be understood that these values are exemplary only
and that greater or lesser predefined values of threshold RSOC
operating time, and/or threshold minimum RSOC value may be
employed.
[0029] It will also be understood that other operating
characteristics may be detected that are indicative of desktop
power usage. For example, BMU 266 may determine if the fraction of
a given time period (e.g., as a given percentage of cumulative
operating time during the time period) that battery powered
portable information handling system 200 has been operating on
external power has exceeded a predefined threshold external power
fractional operating time, and/or if the fraction of a given time
period that battery powered portable information handling system
200 has been operating with a battery relative state of charge
(RSOC) above a threshold minimum RSOC value has exceeded a
predefined threshold high RSOC fractional operating time.
[0030] As described above, one or more desktop use response actions
may be taken in step 416 of FIG. 4 upon determination that
information handling system 200 is currently being operated in a
manner characterized as desktop power use behavior. Such response
actions may address the desktop power use behavior in a passive
and/or active manner. For example, BMU 266 may inform embedded
controller (EC) 280 and/or processor 205 by signal communication
across SMBus 281 that desktop power use behavior has been detected.
EC 280 running system BIOS and/or processor 205 may respond to this
communication by displaying a passive message to a user of the
information handling system that alerts the user that desktop
behavior has been detected, and may optionally provide the user
information with information on steps that may be taken to protect
and extend battery life, e.g., by removing external AC power when
information handling system 200 is not in use, by turning
information handling system 200 off during long periods of non-use,
by periodically discharging battery system 265 to perform the
learning procedure of Region B of FIG. 3, etc. In another exemplary
embodiment, a user may be given the option to run a desktop
battery-conditioning utility that takes control of power management
of information handling system 200 to perform the learning
procedure of Region B of FIG. 3 or other battery discharge profile
suitable for protecting battery cells 324 of battery system 265
from desktop power use behavior damage, e.g., while at the same
time continuously providing power to allow use of information
handling system 200. Such a passive response action relies on the
user to take the necessary steps to protect the battery system
265.
[0031] Alternatively or additionally, system BIOS of EC 280 (and/or
other suitable processing device/s of information handling system
200 such as processor 205) may take one or more active response
actions upon notification that desktop power use behavior has been
detected without requiring permission of the user. For example, a
battery-conditioning utility may be automatically run without user
permission that takes control of power management of information
handling system 200 to perform the learning procedure of Region B
of FIG. 3 or other battery discharge profile suitable for
protecting battery cells 324 of battery system 265 from desktop
power use behavior damage, e.g., while at the same time
continuously providing power to allow use of information handling
system 200. A user may be optionally notified that the utility is
running or it may run in the background without the knowledge of
the user.
[0032] For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling
system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of
instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,
receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest,
detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of
information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,
control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an
information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a
consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other
suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,
functionality, and price. The information handling system may
include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central
processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic.
Additional components of the information handling system may
include one or more storage devices, one or more communications
ports for communicating with external devices as well as various
input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a
video display. The information handling system may also include one
or more buses operable to transmit communications between the
various hardware components.
[0033] It will also be understood that one or more of the tasks,
functions, or methodologies described herein (e.g., for BMU 266, EC
280, processor 205 or other suitable processing device) may be
implemented, for example, as firmware or other computer program of
instructions embodied in a non-transitory tangible computer
readable medium that is executed by a CPU, controller,
microcontroller, processor, microprocessor, FPGA, ASIC, or other
suitable processing device. Further, although replaceable smart
battery packs are described in relation to some of the embodiments
herein, it will be understood that the disclosed systems and
methods may be implemented with battery systems that are
non-replaceable and/or with battery systems controlled by external
processing device/s.
[0034] While the invention may be adaptable to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been
shown by way of example and described herein. However, it should be
understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the
particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. Moreover, the different aspects of the disclosed systems
and methods may be utilized in various combinations and/or
independently. Thus the invention is not limited to only those
combinations shown herein, but rather may include other
combinations.
* * * * *